During the new build process, you will work with lots of different people from architects and designers to builders and other tradesmen. It is important that you and your home builder get on. Ultimately, it is the builder who determines the outcome of your home. Here are 5 warning signs a home builder may not be right for you.
1. They turn up late
The builder should respect their client’s time as a matter of good practice. If they are consistently late, you have a right to bring up the issue and ask them to ensure appointment times are respected.
2. Won’t stick to a budget
A reputable and honest home builder will do everything they can to ensure you stay on budget. If this doesn’t happen then you should speak up. A builder should not be frivolously making choices that go over budget without consulting you. Your builder should be communicating with you regarding price and no decisions should be made without your permission.
3. Doesn’t value your input
A home builder should always value you input since it is you who will be living there. A builder can give their advice but your opinion is the most important since you are paying for it. It is advisable to write your ideas down and agree them at the start so that you have more than just a verbal agreement in place.
4. Has an inability to keep on schedule
There are things that happen which are out of your builder’s control that can impact the schedule. Unforeseen problems do occur from time to time. If your builder is consistently deviating from the agreed schedule then this could be a sign your home builder is not be right for you. You should always ask them to draw up a schedule in advance so you can call the builder out when deadlines are not met.
5. Poor standard of work
In any building project there may be things that will need correcting. A bad builder will not take the time and care to do things properly. Building Control should always be consulted to sign off the work to ensure it is being done to the highest standard.
So there are a lot of things that can go wrong if you choose the wrong builder. To avoid any potential downfalls, make sure that you set out your expectations at the start, establish clear communication and draw up a contract. It is always advisable to hire a vetted builder. Members of The Association of Master Tradesmen are vetted, checked, and continuously monitored throughout their membership to ensure the highest standard of work. To find a builder, post your job on our website or call us on 0208 817 5246.
